Paper Cuts | Luke Hemmings ✔

09. Helping Hands and Evil Glares

word count; 2262
edited ✔

.

.

.

Kennedy Walsh sat on the shore where the waves met the sand, and stared out at the sunset. The case containing her mother's ashes rested between her legs, and a single tear streaked down her face. She stared out at the sun, watching the waves crash together. Aaron Kingsley stood behind her as she wept. Eventually, e joined her on the sand. Kennedy didn't speak, but reached for Aaron's hand, lacing their fingers together. They stayed like that for a long time, not speaking. Just staring out at the sea.

Aaron glanced over at Kennedy. Her eyes were closed, her blonde hair blowing behind her in the ocean breeze. Her pale cheeks were stained with tears, and her eyes had bags under them from the lack of sleep she'd had. Aaron brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "How did it go?" he whispered. Kennedy opened her eyes, and looked over at him with sad blue orbs. She was still dressed in her black outfit from the funeral.

"Okay." she whispered back, her voice cracking slightly, tears threatening to fall. Aaron pulled her into his chest allowing her to cry. Something she never used to do. Kennedy Walsh was known for being a strong and independent woman, and now she was crying.

"Hey, it's okay." he cooed in her ear, rubbing his hands up and down her back. "Baby, please stop crying. You'll make yourself sick." he pleaded.

"I- I didn't even get to say goodbye." she hiccupped.

"I know." Aaron said softly. "I know. It hurts. I know how much you miss her." he said. Aaron continued to hold onto the girl he loved until she calmed down. And even when she did, he didn't let go. He made sure she knew that he wasn't going to leave her too.

"I miss her." he heard her say, breaking the silence between them. "I may have hated her, but I miss her so much it hurts."

"I'm sorry." he whispered.

"Me too." Kennedy replied.

"We'll make it through though." Aaron said.

"Together?" Kennedy asked, moving away from him slightly to hold out her pinky finger. Aaron wrapped his around hers to seal the promise.

"Together." he said. "Come on. Let's get you inside. It's getting cold out." Aaron helped her to her feet.

"Give me a minute?" she asked him. Aaron nodded. Kennedy stepped to the edge of the ocean where water meets land, and opened the urn. She grabbed a handful of ashes, and tossed them into restless waves. "Goodbye Momma. Safe travels. I love you." Kennedy turned back to Aaron, and took his hand. Together, they walked back to the house, wondering what tomorrow would hold.

End

Corrine closed her book, and set it down on the bed beside her. She stared up at the ceiling. In the end, she felt bad for Kennedy because she lost her mother, and even though they had a pretty rocky relationship, Kennedy loved her, and missed her terribly. But she gained her father and Aaron, and got to experience love in the process. There was light that came from the darkness. All in all, Corrine agreed that it was a wonderful book, and she would read it again, possibly in the future.